Snap-hook



J. C. COVERT;

SNAP HOOK.

(No Model.)

No. 547,877. Patentd Oct. 15, 1895.

- WIJJVESSES MIDI"! EGRMMMFHOTO-UTHQWASHINGIUNDO.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES (LCOVERT, OF WEST TROY, NEW YORK.

SNAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,877, dated October15, 1895. Application filed May 23,1895. Serial No. 550,432 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. COVERT, a citizen of the United States,residing at West Troy, in the county of Albany and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap-Hooks; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention, relates to an improvement in snap-hooks.

Generally speaking the invention comprehends the improvement of thedouble snaphook wherein a single flat spring is employed for both hooks,and the special improvement resides more particularly in so fashioningthe several parts that the effect of the compression of either end ofthe spring may be dis tributed throughout the length of the spring, andthereby avoid the danger of breaking the ends or holding-sections of thespring.

The invention further contemplates a formation of a casting and spring,so that the connection between may be effected in a manner to acquirethe above-indicated advantages, and which will render an easy andinexpensive adjustment and production of the parts.

Briefly speaking, the invention consists, primarily, in loosely securinga spring in the casting, so that its opposite ends will constitutetongues.

The objects of the invention are attained by theconstruction illustratedin the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of ref erencedesignate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which Figurelis a side elevation of my improved hook. Fig. 2 is a top plan view, thespring being removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. lt-is adetail view of the spring.

In the drawings, A designates the frame, having the hooks B B atopposite ends, formed with the points I) 19, having the flat under facesarranged equidistant from the center of the frame and on the same plane.The frame and hooks constitute a single casting. The frame A consists ofthe two side webs a a, united at their ends by the sections a of thehook-shanks. These webs a a are parallel and the space between is open,except at points at the base on opposite sides of the center, at whichpoints the cross-bars D D are located. These crossbars are integral withthe sides, and their contiguous sides are curved in relatively oppositedirection, as at d d, forming the curved seat between with an open base.

E designates the keeper-spring, the opposite ends of which constitutethe tongues e e, while the central or connecting portion E is bent downinto a substantially V-shaped offset, the apex of which is rounded orcurved. The shape of this central portion conforms substantially to theshape of the lower portion of the seat in which it rests, and, owing tothe curvature of the seatand of the V shape of the spring, asubstantially pivotal connection is effected. The opposite ends of thesprings constitute the tongues e e and are inclined obliquely upward,their outer ends normally resting against the under face of the points bb. It will be noticed that by the formation of the V-shaped section andseating the same in the space between the cross-bars the tongues areheld in their proper positions relative to the points, and alllongitudinal movement of the spring is prevented, and by locating theseat at the base of the frame all lateral movement is prevented.

In operation as pressure is applied on one of the tongues the same isforced down, which, owing to the pivotal connection of the centralportion, forces or tends to force the opposite tongue up, and thiscompression or movement is to some extent transmitted or distributedthroughout the entire spring. By this means it is practically impossibleto break the spring. Were, however, the spring fixedly secured at itscenter, the tendency would be to crank or break at its point of union.In other structures of this class the springs are greatly weakened bygrooving the sides or perforating the same at the point of attachment.The strength of the spring is thereby proportionately lessened. Shouldit be desirable to place a holding means above the spring, but out ofcontact, the same may be done in any desirable manner, preferably byinserting a pin transversely through the sides, as shown at h in dottedlines, Fig. 1. In forming the frame open any sticks, dirt, or foreignsubstance that enters the .snap below the springfinds an easy escape.

ICO

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction and arrangementof the parts can be made and substituted for those herein shown anddescribed without in the least departing from the nature and principleof my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is-

. 1. A snap hook comprising a frame having oppositely arranged hooks atopposite ends, an open center and cross-bars at the center spaced apart,and a keeper spring having its vopposite ends arranged to engage thehooks and formed at its center with a downwardly extending loop of asize to fit between the cross-bars, substantially as described.

2. A double snap hook comprising two oppositely arranged hooks, anintermediate seat,

and a keeper spring, the opposite ends of which constitute the tonguesengaging respectively with the hooks, and an offset be tween the tonguesloosely resting on the seat, substantially as described.

3. In a snap hook, the combination with the frame, a curved seat at thelower central portion thereof, oppositely arranged hooks, and a keeperspring engaging the hooks and having a downwardly curved offset at itscenter loosely resting in said seat, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES C. COVERT. Witnesses:

L. S. BACON, G. A. PENNINGTON.

